Word
uninhabited
Phoneticsun·in·hab·it·ed, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌənɪnˈhæbətɪd/
UK/ˌʌnɪnhˈæbɪtɪd/
Definition
adj. a place where no people live.
adj. lacking human inhabitants or permanent residents.
Examples
“The ship landed on a small, uninhabited island.”
“Researchers found that the valley had remained uninhabited for centuries due to its extreme weather and lack of water.”
“While the archipelago contains dozens of islands, the vast majority remain uninhabited, serving instead as protected sanctuaries for migratory seabirds and rare marine life.”
Examples
simple
“The ship landed on a small, uninhabited island.”
contextual
“Researchers found that the valley had remained uninhabited for centuries due to its extreme weather and lack of water.”
complex
“While the archipelago contains dozens of islands, the vast majority remain uninhabited, serving instead as protected sanctuaries for migratory seabirds and rare marine life.”
Usage
Usually functions as a non-gradable adjective; a place is either inhabited or it is not.
Teaching tip
Learners often confuse this with 'uninhabitable'. 'Uninhabited' means no one lives there now, while 'uninhabitable' means no one *can* live there because it is too dangerous or broken.
Real-World Examples
“Apart from the crew of a weather station, it is uninhabited.” “A two-day journey by plane and road from Vancouver, it is the largest uninhabited island in the world.” Etymology
From un- + inhabited.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/uninhabited